Hip-Hop is multi-generational now. And thankfully, that means veteran rappers who have learned the in-and-outs of the game can pass on their wisdom to the next set of MCs.

With an all-important co-sign from Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon, one of the most respected (and still relevant) artists in Hip-Hop, Canada’s JD Era has already fought half the battle. The Toronto-born spitter, fresh off signing a deal with Raekwon’s Canada-based record label, ICE H20 Records, has recently released his first mixtape under the imprint, entitled No Handouts.

“It ain’t even one [American] rapper yet that really has taken it to that next level of setting up shop in another country, you know? I’ve done it,” says Raekwon to AllHipHop.com. “And I’ve done it in great faith, because I know that these places I go to, they got a lot of love…”

Rae and JD Era stopped by the AllHipHop offices recently to share the story of how they linked in the first place, and why – legendary co-sign or not – JD Era is the real deal: